Muschamp responds to critics over handling of discipline

Published: Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 11:50 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 3:59 p.m.

A fired-up Will Muschamp fired back Wednesday at those who have criticized the Florida coach this week for the way he handled the suspension of three players for last Saturday’s opening game against Idaho.

The three players — wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and defensive tackles Jay-nard Bostwick and Darious Cummings — were reinstated Monday for this week’s game against Eastern Michigan even though last Saturday’s game was suspended after only one play. Bostwick and Cummings were suspended for violation of team rules and Robinson for a university sanction that has been resolved.

Several in the national media have been critical of Muschamp’s decision to reinstate.

“It’s not just about suspending players for games, OK. There are a lot of things that go in to discipline,” Muschamp said on the SEC coaches’ teleconference Wednesday. “It’s about altering and changing behavior, which we’ve done here. I think our discipline speaks for itself how we handle our football team.

“At the end of the day, it’s more than (suspensions). There are a lot of things that go into those situations, a lot more than people know.

“It’s very frustrating for me as a coach, or any coach, to have someone be critical when you don’t even have all the information. I make the decisions in this program. I handle the discipline in this program, and it’s handled very well.”

The suspensions were the first for Cummings, a senior, and Bostwick, a redshirt freshman. It was the third for Robinson, a true sophomore who was suspended from the 2013 opener and then again for the final two games of the season for a violation of team rules.

Muschamp said Robinson has turned things around and is in good standing with him and the team.

"As far as football is concerned, it's never been an issue. Demarcus works extremely hard on the field,” Muschamp said. “Football is very important to him. Sometimes guys mature at different times and he's gone through that process. The situation with the first ballgame was a campus sanction, which I totally support.

“But he's had a 3.0 the last two semesters at the University of Florida. He's worked extremely hard academically. He's done everything we've asked him to do. He's a wonderful man to be around. He's got a smile on his face all the time. I love Demarcus, he's a great kid.

“Just because you make a couple of poor decisions doesn't make you a bad person. He certainly has learned from these situations and will move forward. I've told the players all the time, help me help you. And if they are willing to work with me, we're willing to work with them, and Demarcus is a great young man.''

<p>A fired-up Will Muschamp fired back Wednesday at those who have criticized the Florida coach this week for the way he handled the suspension of three players for last Saturday's opening game against Idaho.</p><p>The three players — wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and defensive tackles Jay-nard Bostwick and Darious Cummings — were reinstated Monday for this week's game against Eastern Michigan even though last Saturday's game was suspended after only one play. Bostwick and Cummings were suspended for violation of team rules and Robinson for a university sanction that has been resolved.</p><p>Several in the national media have been critical of Muschamp's decision to reinstate.</p><p>“It's not just about suspending players for games, OK. There are a lot of things that go in to discipline,” Muschamp said on the SEC coaches' teleconference Wednesday. “It's about altering and changing behavior, which we've done here. I think our discipline speaks for itself how we handle our football team.</p><p>“At the end of the day, it's more than (suspensions). There are a lot of things that go into those situations, a lot more than people know.</p><p>“It's very frustrating for me as a coach, or any coach, to have someone be critical when you don't even have all the information. I make the decisions in this program. I handle the discipline in this program, and it's handled very well.”</p><p>The suspensions were the first for Cummings, a senior, and Bostwick, a redshirt freshman. It was the third for Robinson, a true sophomore who was suspended from the 2013 opener and then again for the final two games of the season for a violation of team rules.</p><p>Muschamp said Robinson has turned things around and is in good standing with him and the team.</p><p>"As far as football is concerned, it's never been an issue. Demarcus works extremely hard on the field,” Muschamp said. “Football is very important to him. Sometimes guys mature at different times and he's gone through that process. The situation with the first ballgame was a campus sanction, which I totally support.</p><p>“But he's had a 3.0 the last two semesters at the University of Florida. He's worked extremely hard academically. He's done everything we've asked him to do. He's a wonderful man to be around. He's got a smile on his face all the time. I love Demarcus, he's a great kid.</p><p>“Just because you make a couple of poor decisions doesn't make you a bad person. He certainly has learned from these situations and will move forward. I've told the players all the time, help me help you. And if they are willing to work with me, we're willing to work with them, and Demarcus is a great young man.''</p>